Today's News

You never forget when you cross paths with greatness. The thought crossed my mind earlier this week when I heard Hall of Fame Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt was retiring.
Last August, Summitt announced she had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s-type dementia. Her illness and health led to her decision, but she will remain close to the program as head coach emeritus.
Coach Summitt made her announcement Wednesday, April 18, which rekindled memories of another mid-April date some years back.

Staff Reports
Andrew Jackson wrapped up the Region IV-AA softball crown with an 8-3 win over county rival Buford on Thursday night at AJ.
AJ pitcher Lauren Rowell went the distance for the Lady Vols, 23-3, 10-0. She struck out two and allowed seven hits and a walk.
“Lauren Rowell threw quality pitches all night and Kori had the big hit for us,” AJ coach Steve Middleton said.
Kori Ballard provided the big stick for the top-rated Lady Vols, drilling three hits, including a long three-run home run. She also had three RBIs.

Staff Reports
Andrew Jackson, with a little help from region member Cheraw, clinched the Region IV-AA baseball championship on Friday night.
The Vols, who received a forfeit from Lee Central to cap region play, also needed Cheraw to defeat Central High School of Pageland to net the region crown.
Cheraw, down 6-1 at one point, rallied for the 11-6 comeback victory over the Eagles.

Robert Howeyrhowey@thelancasternews.com
Teamwork proved to be a key factor for the winning team in the 21st annual Partners for Youth golf tournament at the Lancaster Golf Club on Friday afternoon.
The winning foursome teamed for a 51, which forced a card playoff and an eagle on the third playoff hole, No. 5, gave it the win.
“It was all a team effort,” said Greg Gates of the winning team sponsored by McKittrick Timber. “We all made some key putts and we all had some key drives.”

Staff Reports
Clover built a 1-0 halftime lead and added three second-half goals on the way to a 4-0 win over Lancaster High School at Memorial Stadium on Friday night.
The Lady Bruins fell to 12-4, 4-4 in region play.
Spartanburg forged a 2-1 halftime lead and stayed on top for a 4-2 win over Lancaster in Region III-AAAA girls soccer play Thursday night.
Frances Whitesides scored two goals, one on a breakaway, to lead the Lady Bruins.
Mallory Blackmon had an assist in the match.

There are so many inaccuracies in Franklin Whittlesey’s “Wake Up, America” article in the Jan. 13 edition of The Lancaster News that I don’t know where to start. He must have gotten his information from Fox News, Rush Limbaugh or Michelle Bachmann – not reliable fact sources.
Let’s start with “All the president does is campaign.” This is a completely ridiculous statement since now happens to be time when all candidates begin their campaigns. What would you call the South Carolina primary?

The youth ball season is under way around the county.
As an annual rite of spring, many area youngsters, girls and boys from a variety of ages, will be involved with baseball and softball games from the county Panhandle to southern Lancaster County and all points in between.
It’s a new season and the optimism is high.
There will be plenty of games on the diamonds for these youngsters from now to mid-summer to be a part of this season.

By Julie Graham
For The Lancaster News
The Hinson Girls went to Hartsville and came home state bluegrass champions.
The four sisters – Katelyn, 12, on mandolin and lead vocals, 14-year-old twins Allison and Melissa on banjo and bass, and Kristin, 17, on guitar and fiddle – won the band contest at RenoFest on the fourth weekend of March.
The festival is named for Don Reno, a bluegrass legend from South Carolina.

By Michele Roberts
For The Lancaster News
It only takes watching the 6 o’ clock news or picking up a copy of the newspaper on any given day to find out that some sort of violence has taken place somewhere in the county, state, country or some other part of the world.
But what if violent tendencies were not limited to just select members of the population? What if every individual in the world gave in to thoughts and acts of violence? One local author considered that fact, and wrote a book in which such an apocalyptic situation becomes real.

Jackie Summers has never been on a hot air balloon ride before, so she added that to her bucket list. On the morning of April 13 she got her wish.
Robert Summers set up the event for his wife, who has a form of cancer. Robert brought a Relay for Life sign with the words “Doctor Driver” to take with them in the basket.